How Rewatching Favorite TV Shows Can Support Mental Health

Picture this: You’ve had one of those days. Work felt endless, traffic was a nightmare, and by the time you made it home, all you wanted to do was watch some mindless TV. So, you curl up on the couch, hit play on “Friends,” “The Office,” or “Brooklyn 99” and suddenly life feels a little lighter and happier. You’ve seen them a thousand times, but it doesn’t matter.

Surprisingly, this habit actually has some mental health benefits.

What are the benefits?

We all have those TV shows we keep coming back to because they feel like a warm, cozy blanket. “The daily grind can be mentally exhausting, which is why nostalgia shows feel so comforting,” says Clarissa Silva, a behavioral scientist. “Instead of adding to our mental burden, they provide us with a much-needed escape.”

“Sometimes, we need life to be exactly the same for a few hours to feel safe and stable,” says Aimee Daramus, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at the Clarity Clinic in Chicago. Here are some science-backed benefits of re-watching your favorite shows:

1. Reduces cognitive load: “Our brains need to constantly recover from the overstimulation we endure throughout the day. Watching a new show requires cognitive effort, but rewatching something gives our brains a break when we’re tired,” says Silva.
2. Relieves stress and anxiety: Watching TV can be a form of escapism. Unlike the wild emotional roller coaster of new material, familiar stories can feel grounding when life feels unpredictable. Because we’ve seen it before, we know exactly how each episode ends, the joke is made, and the big twist is resolved. “When we’re stressed and overwhelmed, it gives us a sense of control,” says Silva.
3. Helps in emotional regulation: When we’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, a relaxing revitalization can help us organize. We know that the characters will overcome their challenges and that the ending will be happy, which gives us a sense of hope and peace in our lives.
4. Combats decision fatigue: Our lives are full of decisions, from what to wear in the morning to what to eat for dinner. It can be exhausting. With so many choices on streaming apps, going back to what’s familiar helps us avoid making more decisions in our day, says Silva.
5. Enhances Mood: Seeing funny or heartwarming moments that we love can instantly cheer us up. In addition to helping us feel less depressed, it gives our brains a dopamine boost, Silva explains.
6. Creates a sense of belonging: Those characters may not be real, but we can still feel a strong connection to them, which can be comforting.
7. Relieves boredom and loneliness: Research shows that the nostalgia we experience while re-watching a show can combat boredom, loneliness, and even homesickness.

Why do we re-watch TV shows?

In a world with a seemingly endless number of new shows and movies, we sometimes feel guilty for returning to old favorites, like we’re slowing down and taking the easy way out. But psychologically, there is more to it:

• comfort: With a new show, we have to follow all the plot lines, familiarize ourselves with new characters, and figure out their motivations. With one we have already seen, there is no pressure. Our brain doesn’t have to work that hard. Familiar jokes, catchphrases, and characters can instantly lift our mood and help us relax.
• Comfort and forecast: Our daily lives can be stressful and unpredictable. Old shows can make us feel safe and calm because we know exactly what’s going to happen. There are no surprising plot twists or sad endings to worry about.
• Nostalgia: Old shows reconnect us with past versions of ourselves, reminding us of who we were and what life was like when we first watched them. Research shows that watching classic material brings back memories of happier, simpler times, like when we were kids.
• Emotional connection: The (one-sided) emotional bonds we form with our favorite fictional characters are known as parasocial relationships. We grow attached to characters over time, so when we rewatch a show it feels like we’re spending time with old friends, which can provide a sense of companionship and connection. Research shows that many people return to familiar content for these non-social interactions.
• Friendship: Dr Daramus says that fictional characters are comforting because they always do and say the same things and are always available to us in ways that human friends cannot. “Each episode will always be the same, and the characters will always be there for you.”
• Background noise: Sometimes it’s not about looking closely, but something familiar when we cook, clean or scroll.
• Taking care of yourself: Taking some time to chill and watch an old show helps us relax and recharge. Silva says it’s a form of self-care that can be quite restorative.
• New details: Whether it’s a funny line, a funny face, or a reference we missed before, rewatching a show can help us discover delightful new details.
• Common Culture: Sharing your favorite show with a loved one can be a special experience. Additionally, being able to discuss episodes, quote lines from the show, recommend it to others, or make inside jokes connects us with other fans, creating a sense of community.

When does re-watching shows become unhealthy?

Revisiting old favorites can be a surprisingly healthy coping strategy. Research shows that occasional TV viewing can be a convenient way to temporarily escape reality and manage anxiety, stress, and negative emotions.

However, this behavior can be concerning if it replaces other healthy coping mechanisms. Research shows that if we pay too much attention to coping with loneliness, depression, or social anxiety, it can be unhealthy.

Silva says that re-watching comfort shows has emotional, cognitive and psychological benefits, but it’s important to be mindful of whether the habit becomes an avoidance tactic or a substitute for engaging with new experiences. For example, if you’re constantly choosing to do the same thing over sleeping, connecting with friends, or dealing with things that need your attention, it may be more of a self-care avoidance strategy.

Re-watching shows should be balanced with personal, healthy relationships, Dr. Daramus says. “You need to keep this habit in mind if you’re pushing healthy relationships in the real world to live in the unreal world, or when you can’t cope with the change and compromise that naturally occurs in human relationships.”

Still, most of the time, chilling with a favorite show is harmless and fun, says Dr. Daramus.